A perfectly set up instrument is an extension of your hands. Fine-tune your guitar for ultimate playability and tone.
Acoustic Guitar: Standard Setup
Ideal for general strumming and fingerstyle, this setup balances comfortable action with clear, resonant tone.
Check for a slight upward bow (relief) in the neck. A good starting point is about the thickness of a business card at the 7th fret. Adjust the truss rod in small, quarter-turn increments.
Adjust the saddle height. For standard acoustic, aim for about 2.2mm on the low E string and 1.8mm on the high E string, measured at the 12th fret.
Compare the open string note with the fretted note at the 12th fret. If the fretted note is sharp, the string needs to be longer (adjust saddle back). If flat, it needs to be shorter (adjust saddle forward). This often requires professional saddle compensation.
Electric Guitar: Low Action (Rock/Metal)
Optimized for speed and precision. This setup features very low action for fast lead playing and effortless bending, with pickups voiced for high-gain.
Aim for a nearly straight neck with minimal relief. This allows for the lowest possible action without excessive fret buzz. A gap of about 0.25mm at the 8th fret is a good target.
Set the action very low. At the 12th fret, a common target is 1.6mm for the low E and 1.2mm for the high E. Adjust each saddle on the bridge individually.
For aggressive rock tones, set the bridge pickup closer to the strings (around 2.0mm) and the neck pickup slightly lower (around 2.5mm) for balance.
Crucial for high-gain playing. Use a quality tuner. Fret the 12th fret. If sharp, move the saddle away from the neck. If flat, move it closer.
Electric Guitar: High Action (Slide/Blues)
This setup prioritizes clean, buzz-free slide playing and big string bends. The higher action prevents the slide from rattling against the frets.
The most important step. Raise the action significantly higher than standard. Aim for around 2.5mm on the low E and 2.0mm on the high E at the 12th fret. This gives the slide proper clearance.
Consider using heavier gauge strings (e.g., .011s or .012s). They provide more tension and a fatter tone, which is ideal for slide playing.
With higher action and heavier strings, you may need to add a bit more relief (loosen the truss rod slightly) to the neck to prevent back bow.
Bass Guitar: Standard Setup
A solid, all-around setup for a 4-string bass, providing a clean fundamental tone with comfortable playability for fingerstyle or pick playing.
Bass necks require a bit more relief than guitars. A gap of around 0.35mm at the 8th fret (fretting the 1st and last fret) is a good target.
At the 17th fret, aim for about 2.5mm on the E string and 2.0mm on the G string. Adjust each saddle individually for a consistent feel.
While fretting the last fret, adjust pickup height. A good starting point is about 2.8mm between the string and pickup pole piece for both pickups.
Classical Guitar: Nylon String
Nylon string guitars require a different approach. This setup focuses on achieving a pure, warm tone without buzzing, accommodating the wider, flatter neck.
Most traditional classical guitars do not have an adjustable truss rod. Neck relief is built-in by the luthier. Do not attempt to adjust if there is no access point.
Action is typically higher on classical guitars. At the 12th fret, a standard height is 4.0mm on the low E and 3.0mm on the high E. This is almost entirely controlled by the saddle height.
The nut should be just high enough to allow the open strings to ring clearly without buzzing on the first fret. This adjustment is best left to a professional.
12-String Acoustic Guitar
Setting up a 12-string is a battle against immense string tension. The goal is comfortable playability without compromising the instrument's structural integrity.
Due to high tension, the neck needs slightly more relief than a 6-string. Check for a gap of 0.25mm-0.30mm at the 7th fret. Be very cautious and make small adjustments.
The action will be slightly higher than a standard acoustic to prevent buzzing from the octave strings. Aim for 2.5mm on the low E and 2.0mm on the high E at the 12th fret.
Consider tuning down a half or whole step to reduce tension and make the guitar easier to play. Use light gauge (.010-.047) 12-string sets.
